This year has not been kind to British brewing. Like other industries, it has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, with pubs and bars forced to close and production grinding to a halt. But, just as a glimpse of the new future began to unfold with the easing of lockdown, another shadow cast itself across the sector. In July, the government announced it was to…

There’s no doubt that enforced product reformulation is the weapon of choice for so-called “public health” in its campaign to make us all as slim as racing snakes. This has an impact far beyond the reformulation of sugary drinks, where artificial sweeteners have replaced sugar to avoid the government’s sugar levy. This is already affecting many of the food and confectionery…

Smaller formats are key to driving BWS sales among cash-strapped convenience shoppers in January, according to leading supplier Diageo. The Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Guinness supplier quoted a HIM consumer survey asserting that 22% of consumers list smaller pack formats as their most important consideration when selecting products in-store. It said 20cl and 35cl bottles merchandised alongside 70cl bottles in blocked fixtures can drive sales…

Heineken has unveiled packaging extension for two of its brands: Desperados and Old Mout. The activity is designed to drive category value by helping retailers target the growing shopper occasions of early evening meet-ups, on-the-go and outdoor, and the formats also tap into the consumer trend towards smaller cans. Heineken said small cans were bought by 1.6m beer and cider shoppers in 2015, which is…

Chancellor George Osborne has unveiled a tax on the makers of soft drinks to tackle childhood obesity, but for producers of alcoholic drinks the 2016 Budget held no nasty surprises. He also revealed some good news for smaller companies, whereby he planned to “more than double” the small business rate relief.  Beer and cider Osborne said the duty for beer, cider, whisky and other spirits…

Maxxium UK has released The Famous Grouse in four-pack cases of 35cl and 20cl bottles to help convenience stores who are increasingly selling spirits in smaller bottles. Maxxium had already launched Highland Park 12 Year Old and The Macallan Gold in the same formats. The company wants to see c-stores stocking a broader range of spirits and believes smaller bottles will help them to do…

Buckfast will be sold in cans for the first time and the Benedictine monks that brew it in Devon hope they will be a hit with barbecue fans over the summer. Producer J Chandler and Company said it has mulled over a smaller serve for some time and decided to take the plunge after Michelin starred chef Martin Blunos started using a 25cl measure of…